Praying For Those Who Face Adversity

FACING ADVERSITY

Canadians is known across the planet these days for their history of racial and cultural discrimination against indigenous people through institutions such as residential school and the hurt and adversity many families faced as a result.

During the past couple of years incidents of violent racial attacks have multipled in alarming numbers in our locale.  Ugly graffiti has defaced buildings which house restaurants and businesses of folks with an Asian background.  These folks struggle each day with adversity that I will never know because I have a white face.

We’re not alone.  Each country has it’s group of the powerful and entitled and those who are the underclass or who seem to be of less value. So many people have faced adversity because of historical events. 

Others face adversity due to economic hardship or injury or loss of a loved one that has left them alone. God wants to meet and bless anyone who faces adversity today and so we pray:

Heavenly Father we want to pray today for those who face adversity.  We’ve named some ways already which bring about adversity in the lives of some.  There are so many more reasons than we have mentioned.  There is so much adversity and uncertainty for the majority of the population.  In the face of this we need what You promise us when You say:

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.  Isaiah 26:3-4

We thank you Lord that in the middle of it all, You are You are the steady safe place for all who face adversity today, regardless of its source.   It's hard to trust when the pressure is increased but You promise to give everyone perfect peace if they will keep their minds fixed on You, and their hearts trusting in You.  I pray for a willingness and strength for all who are struggling in adversity today to turn to You and receive this peace.

We pray that we will all be able to live and speak as Paul did when he wrote the words: 

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:12-13

While we may not be as resilient as Paul was we want to grow in this.  Help us to take these moments to pause and bring You into focus, particularly when the pressures around us or inside us are escalating. It's much easier to focus on the problem and the pressure but with the help of Your Holy Spirit, we can train our hearts to seek You in the moment and You've promised that when we do that You will always be there to be found.  Amen